A to Z of topics

SEPA regulates emissions, permits, and high-risk activities to protect the environment. Find out what authorisations operators need, and how to stay compliant.

AHER ensures that we manage risks from air pollution during major incidents. Find out about who is involved and how we assess the situation, respond, and monitor air quality.

To protect the environment, SEPA regulates agricultural activities, monitors land use and promotes sustainable land management. Find out more about how we regulate agriculture in Scotland.

Aquaculture is the growing of finfish and shellfish. We regulate Scottish aquaculture to protect the marine environment and make sure the industry meets environmental standards.

Explore what authorisations and registrations your business may need to operate legally and responsibly, including the new Environmental Authorisation (Scotland) Regulations.

Find information about the quality of designated bathing waters across Scotland. We monitor water quality so you can make an informed decision about how to use the water.

If batteries aren't disposed of properly, it can cause serious harm to the environment. Find out about safe battery disposal and regulations in Scotland.

Energy storage is necessary for a smart, flexible, and decarbonised energy system. Find guidance covering planning, environmental impacts, fire risk and battery recycling.

Best Available Techniques (BAT) minimise environmental impacts and emissions from industrial activities. Find out about BAT conclusions and how to comply with them.

SEPA protects and restores biodiversity in Scotland through regulation, planning and partnership working. Find out how we help nature and communities thrive.

SEPA charges for the services it provides to help protect Scotland’s environment. Find out about what activities these charges support and how to make a payment.

Chemicals play an important part in modern life, but they can impact ecosystems, human health and the environment. SEPA reduces and prevents harmful chemicals entering the environment.

We use a classification system to measure the pressures effecting our waters, and define the state of Scotland’s water environment.

Consultations allow the public to help shape environmental policy in Scotland. Take part in current consultations or view past responses via our Consultation Hub (opens an external link).

Land can become contaminated by different substances, from heavy materials to agricultural waste. Find out how contaminated land is managed and addressed in Scotland.

COMAH regulations aim to reduce the risks of potential major accidents involving dangerous substances. Learn who the regulations apply to and find information on handling hazardous chemicals.

SEPA collects and publishes a range of environmental data for Scotland. As an operator, you may be required to submit environmental data. Explore published data or submit your own data here.

Data centres are subject to a number of environmental regulations depending on their design and operation. Learn about SEPA's role in relation to data centres and the associated activities that we regulate.

Scotland is introducing a deposit return scheme (DRS), expected to launch in October 2027. When you buy a drink in a single-use container, you'll pay a deposit which you get back when you return your empty bottle or can.

Digital waste tracking will be introduced in Scotland from 2027. Learn about the new regulations, including who must comply and how to prepare.

Dredging is the removal of sediment from a river channel and can impact flooding and farm waterflow. Find out about dredging regulations and guidance.

The Duty of Care is a legal responsibility that applies to everyone managing waste. Learn about what duties apply to you.

Permits, registrations, notifications and General Binding Rules (GBRs) for activities authorised under the Environmental Authorisations (Scotland) Regulations (EASR).

Scotland’s energy system is transforming to support a net zero future. SEPA manages the environmental impact of energy systems to benefit people, communities and the economy.

The ESOS is a mandatory energy assessment scheme for UK that are regarded as a ‘large undertaking’. Find out who it applies to and how to meet compliance obligations.

SEPA enforce environmental laws in Scotland by investigating non-compliance, issuing civil penalties, or accepting voluntary actions to fix harm and prevent future issues.

EPAS will support our approach to regulation by providing a common standard to rate an operator’s environmental performance and drive improvements in compliance.

The Scottish Government prohibits certain types of fluorinated greenhouse gases (F-gases) and ODS. Learn about the regulations controlling their supply and use.

SEPA is responsible for ensuring that forest developments are designed to consider and benefit the environment. Find information on SEPA's regulatory role in forestry management.

Everyone is responsible for the safe and correct disposal of their own waste. Flytipping is a crime that SEPA is working with partners to respond to and to prevent.

Grangemouth is Scotland's largest industrial complex. Find out how SEPA regulates Grangemouth, the latest updates from the site, and information on sites in the area.

We regulate activities to protect and improve Scotland’s environment. Find out about our approach to regulation, activities we regulate, and further guidance for businesses.

Hydrogen can help decarbonise the energy system, bringing us closer to net zero. Find out about hydrogen production, regulations and the action plan for Scotland.

Some INNS pose a risk to Scotland's environment. Find out about legal responsibilities and regulations to reduce the risk of introducing and spreading INNS, and how to report a sighting.

We support landowners, planners, and developers in understanding SEPA’s role in biodiversity, land use, and contaminated land.

Landfill is the disposal of waste which cannot be reused, recycled or recovered, into or onto land. Find out how landfill waste is managed and regulated in Scotland.

Environmental issues can have a serious impact on our wellbeing. Find out which issues in your area have been reported to SEPA, how they're being resolved and how to report an issue.

If you operate a material facility, you must comply with the statutory Code of Practice on Sampling and Reporting at Material Facilities (the Code). Find out about complying with the Code.

Get the latest updates from the Mossmorran and Braefoot Bay Complexes. Learn about operator compliance, how we regulate and take enforcement action, and how to report a pollution incident.

SEPA regulates noise and odour pollution from industrial and waste management activities if they are subject to controls under EASR. Find guidance on activities that could cause pollution.

SEPA regulates noise and odour pollution from industrial and waste management activities if they are subject to controls under EASR. Find guidance on activities that could cause pollution.

Guidance on legal duties and responsibilities for handling packaging waste, including compliance requirements, monitoring and SEPA’s regulatory approach.

POPs are organic chemical substances that pose a risk to human health and the environment. Find out which substances are classed as POPs and how they are regulated.

SEPA have various statutory responsibilities for land use planning in Scotland and cross-border. 

The public register hosts publicly available information on activities that SEPA regulates. You can browse authorisations, applications, waste transporters and brokers and more.

SEPA ensures that radioactive substances are managed safely in Scotland. Find out how these substances are managed, including information on permits, technical tools and support for industry.

Monitoring rainfall helps protect Scotland’s environment and the health and safety of its people. Explore rainfall data for Scotland.

Understand your responsibilities to do with recycling, including food waste, as a waste producer in Scotland.

SEPA is the national regulator for reservoir safety in Scotland. Find information on registration, risk designations, engineer appointments and requirements for authorisation.

RBMP sets out our actions to improve water quality in Scotland. Find out how we work with partners and regulate activities to protect and improve the Scottish water environment.

Diffuse pollution of water is when potential pollutants from farming activities enter the water environment. Find out how SEPA limits harm to the environment.

A funding scheme for community and environmental projects, closed to new applications.

Scottish Landfill Tax aims to encourage producers to reduce their landfill waste. SLfT is liable on the disposal or unauthorised disposal of waste to landfill and is charged by weight.

Official reports on pollutants and emissions for Scotland. Find operator guidance, activity codes and reporting requirements.

You may need to register for an authorisation to discharge your private sewage system into the public sewer. Find guidance on grey water disposal, campervan wastewater, and other tips.

SEPA classifies and improves Shellfish Water Protected Areas to support sustainable shellfish production and water quality in Scotland, primarily oysters and mussels.

Soils are a valuable natural resource. Learn more about the benefits of healthy soils and find information for land managers and operators.

Any waste with hazardous properties which could harm human health or the environment is called Special Waste. Find information on consigning, transporting and receiving special waste in Scotland.

Sustainable and cost-effective ways to protect your river banks from erosion. Find information on techniques, instructional videos, and interviews with landowners who have carried out works.

The UK Emissions Trading Scheme (UK ETS) is a key policy introduced to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Find guidance for operators managing carbon emissions.

Scotland's urban waters are under pressure from litter, pollution and sewage discharges. We're taking bold action with Scottish Water to improve the condition of urban waters.

SEPA plays a key role in managing and regulating waste activities to protect the environment and human health. Find information on waste activities that SEPA regulates.

Guidance on submitting waste data returns to SEPA, including reporting deadlines, submission forms, and information on how to code waste.

Requirements for exporting or importing waste, including how to apply for consent, notify SEPA, and meet your legal responsibilities during waste shipments.

A list of resources for waste activities on topics such as authorisations, Persistent Organic Pollutants, special waste, construction and landfill.

WEEE regulations aim to reduce the environmental impact of electrical and electronic waste. Find out what you must do to legally manage waste electrical and electronic equipment.

If you want to store or treat any waste motor vehicle, including end-of-life vehicles, you need an authorisation from SEPA. Find out what you need to do.

SEPA plays a key role in protecting and improving Scotland's water environment. Find out how we regulate water activities and monitor the water environment.

WEF supports the restoration of Scotland’s rivers, benefitting communities across the country. SEPA administer the WEF on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Guidance documents on a range of topics including sewer discharges, groundwater, engineering and constructed farm wetlands.

SEPA continuously records water levels in lochs, rivers, groundwater and coastlines throughout Scotland, generating valuable data. Find out how and why we monitor water levels in Scotland.

SEPA's approach to monitoring the quality of Scotland's water environment and conserving protected bodies of water.

The latest water scarcity levels, reports, and advice. If you've noticed dry private water supplies, rivers, or burns, report water scarcity in your area and help have us assess water scarcity stress.